Rista's Tale Part 2: The Last Stone Seed

By Barbara Lindsley Galloway

Rista takes her people, now called the Chinaustrine, to a new life in the Woodlands after their crystal mining mountain falls in the Cleansing. When she remembers she must have the last Stone Seed hidden in a small, crystal box to bring about the Harvest of the indigenous First Ones and restore the balance of the world, she travels to Rigil Kentaurus with her brother Meryt in search of it. There, a chance encounter with Waret Wod Thane, another of the Chosen Ones, takes them on an adventure that has them both wondering about curious events the Keepers of the Stone Seeds never mentioned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Lindsley Galloway
• Release date: Jun 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301040728

Barbara Lindsley Galloway

Born in Tennessee; raised in Albuquerque, NMX; now live in Texas.Read every sci-fi book in my junior high and high school libraries (Asimov, Clark, Heinlein), where I elected to spend and work an hour every school day. Also, allegorical fantasy has had a huge influence on my writing. Love J.R.R. Tolkien.Wanted to write stories since I was a child. Was very shy and spent more time watching people than participating in activities. This has served me well in creating 3-dimensional characters.As an adult, I have enjoyed the works of Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, William Faulkner and Earnest Hemingway, to name a few authors of classical works.Love how times have come around to open doors for independent writers. Everyone should have the opportunity to have their voice heard.

Book preview

Rista’s Tale

Part 2

The Last Stone Seed

By Barbara Lindsley Galloway

Copyright 2008 by Barbara Lindsley Galloway. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and incidents in this novel are the products of the author’s imagination. Any similarities to people living or dead are purely coincidental.

Cover design by Barbara Galloway.

Photographs: Violin (The Music 3) Copyright Wam1975/Dreamstime.com

Jewel Copyright Galyna Andrushko/Dreamstime.com

Drawings by Barbara Galloway.

Smashwords Edition

Other books by this author:

Rista’s Tale Part 1: Scarjheen

Rista’s Tale Part 1: Scarjheen Study Guide

To my sister, Patrice Capps,

who loves a good adventure as much as I do

Table of Contents

Maps

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Maps

Chapter 1

On the fifty-second day after the Cleansing of Niwi Erda, the Chinaustrine people rose from their beds of grass near the western beach of Ras Algethi and opened their little makeshift tents to the dawn of the Mother sun. Silently her light crept across the sky in a vision of pink and purple until the vision stretched itself thin and gave way to blue.

Sea-scavengers swooped down from their endless circles in the sky, looking for their mountain nest and the white sandy beach that harbored a breakfast of sea-crawlers; their noisy screams interrupting the quiet of the morning as they found only water and grass.

On a grassy knoll overlooking the sea, Rista sat watching the waves as they pushed themselves against the grass. She wore the clothing of a crystal miner, but the crystal mountain she knew as a child did not exist anymore after the Cleansing of the planet. She did not hear Tiko approach behind her.

Rista, he said, as he came to sit beside her. She turned to look at him, his face rugged and handsome, and her eyes sparkled. Did I ever tell you how beautiful you look in the morning? He touched his hand to her hair and kissed her. The people are ready.

He stood and offered her his hand, and when he had pulled her to her feet, she smiled and turned toward her people, leaning upon the beautifully carved staff of white wood given to her by Weir Dheila.

Rista saw her people busy with their carts laden with possessions, waiting. Everything they owned in the world lay tucked inside the tall, mining dump-carts. The children ran through the crowd laughing and playing the familiar games she knew from her childhood. The recollection of what had been, and now was lost, caused a tear to flow down her cheek. The memories of her parents were as sweet as the fragrance carried on the morning breeze, but their absence came to dwell as a great loss in her heart and she ached to tell them she loved them once more.

I’m so glad I have you, Tiko, she said.

Do you regret joining with me, Rista?

Never. I love you more than my own self.

Then have I hurt you?

No. She smiled at him. She touched his face and took his hand. I’m just thinking of what was lost. But I find it curious, Tiko that the beach has disappeared. Tiko lifted his gaze from her face, and turned toward the sea, surprised.

How do you account for it? she asked.

I can’t, he answered, but even now the waters are rising. I think it’s wise that we’re leaving this beach.

Is our continent sinking? Will we be safe inland?

I don’t know; but it’s time to go.

I’m ready.

Then let’s find our new home in the woodlands, Tiko said. He went to the lead cart and the three-wheeler that trailed behind it secured by ropes. Anla, his young sister, sat on top of it singing and playing with her doll that Meia, Rista’s mother had made for her before the Cleansing. There were no work animals to pull the carts, so Tiko stood behind the t-bar that jutted out in front of his cart and pushed on it with his hands and chest. The wheels moved easily over the grass, for the ground was even and his muscular body used to pulling heavy loads of crystal.

The people numbered one hundred and twenty-three. They talked and laughed as they started off on their journey, captured by a light and merry mood. The men for the most part pushed the carts; although there were a few women that had lost their mate in the Cleansing and had no one but themselves to push their belongings for them.

At the far end of the line were young Meryt and his elderly grandfather, Cran. Both pushed their cart together, and Rista worried that neither of them would be able to go very far and eventually fall far behind the group. Not long afterwards, though, one of the strong young men went to help them and presently his friends joined in. They made Cran lie down on his cart and Rista was very pleased.

She walked along beside Tiko and listened to him talk of their mining days, but she did not join in because a solemn mood had settled on her and she wanted only to listen.

The land as far as they could see was flat and green. Trees were sparse, but Rista saw tiny saplings poking through the grass every now and then, and imagined that once the whole continent—the whole planet—was totally covered in woodlands. There had been no rain the night before, and yet the grass was cool and wet with dew, sparkling as a green field of crystal. Her boots and the hem of her pants grew dark as she walked along.

As the Mother’s light grew stronger and the dew evaporated, a sweet scent rose from the grass and permeated the air, giving vigor to the people. Rista recognized the scent and searched the grass for a little purple flower. It was not to be found where they walked; only around the saplings did it grow. Through this sign, Rista knew that a new spring was on them, and the little blue stone seeds in the bag at her waist waited patiently for their part in it. Presently the morning wore away and the Mother sun came to stand heavily over them. Tiko stopped and stepped out to the people so they could hear him.

Stop and rest while the sun is hot, he said. We’ll stop for the night later. To Rista he said Are you all right? How’s your leg?

I’m okay and my leg is fine. I’ve never felt better.

I only ask because you seem so distant. You’ve hardly said a word today.

Rista smiled. I’ve been thinking about the First Ones. I don’t know anything about them and I don’t know how to do what I need to do for them. I’m just feeling a little frightened and nervous, that’s all.

You’ll know what to do when the time comes, Rista. I have no doubt about it. He kissed her cheek and handed her a coverlet. Why don’t you take a nap after we’ve eaten something? You seem a little tired. He gently picked up a sleeping Anla and laid her on the coverlet Rista had fixed on the ground, then pulled a well-used tarp from the top of the cart and set up a tent over them.

I’m not really hungry, Tiko, Rista said as she crawled in beside Anla. No sooner had she fallen asleep than Tiko was waking her.

I thought we were going to stay a little longer, she said.

It’s been nearly two hours, Rista, my love. We need to move on.

Rista sat up, shaking the sleep away. Anla was gone—probably out playing. She folded the coverlet even as Tiko took down the tent. He had it folded and put it away atop the cart before she knew it. The people seemed better for the rest, but their earlier excitement now seemed subdued.

Tiko took his place behind the t-bar and pushed the cart toward the north with the people following close behind. Rista found her water skin and drank every drop that did not escape down her chin. She felt tired and would be glad when they finally stopped for the night. A gentle breeze caressed the afternoon, taking with it the heat of the day until the Mother sun hung low on the horizon and the breeze ended.

Presently Tiko stopped by a small stream underneath a young tree. I don’t remember this particular tree when we came back after the Cleansing, he said with a slight look of confusion on his face.

I noticed trees are coming up everywhere out here, Rista said. She felt faint and took his hand. It was so cold.

Your hand is hot, Rista. He touched her face. You’re burning with fever. Here, go sit down. He led her to a place with thick, lush grass near the stream where the young branches of a broad tree seemed to reach out to the water hopefully, and made her sit on the coverlet he stretched out on the ground. The world seemed to spin for a minute and Rista decided to lie down and close her eyes. Tiko put up the tent over her while the ground spun around and around. She thought she was going to faint.

Rista could hear everyone talking while they made preparations for the night, and soon the scent of something cooking came her way. It smelled so good. She felt as though she had not eaten in days and struggled to sit up, to find the source of the delightful smell. Before she could rise, Tiko came and brought her a bowl of soup, and some bread, and a small, half-round of cheese in its cloth left over from the day before.

Here, you need to eat something, he said. Everybody pitched in some vegetable or spice. I guess you could call it the community soup.

Thank you, Tiko. It smells so good. She tasted it. There’s some spice in here I don’t recognize, though.

The hot soup comforted her and she ate every bite; but a slight aftertaste lingered in her mouth. Soon the bread and cheese were gone and she pushed the bowl aside. Anla came in and lay down next to her.

Tiko said I had to come in to bed now, she said with an air of disappointment. She played with her doll as Rista combed her hair and tied it in a thick braid, then turned over and talked to Rista about her day until she fell asleep. Rista lay watching her, touching her sweet little face, smoothing the stray hairs from her eyes. By the time Tiko came in, the camp had settled down and the only thing to be heard was the sound of an occasional cough. He lay down silently beside Rista and turned to look at her.

The people are too quiet, Tiko, Rista whispered.

They’ve had a long day. I suppose they’re worn-out. How are you feeling?

I feel tired sometimes. Dizzy sometimes.

Maybe it’s just the excitement. I heard some of the others feel the same. Try and get some of that sleep you found this afternoon. Maybe you’ll feel better tomorrow.

Maybe, she said. She fell asleep quickly and did not feel his kiss. Her dreams were long and unsettling; someone was trying to keep them from reaching the northern woodlands.

In the morning when Tiko woke her, Rista felt much worse than she had the day before. Many of the people were also ill, so Tiko decided to spend the day in the camp instead of traveling so everyone could recover. Rista noticed dark circles under his eyes.

You don’t look as though you feel well, yourself, she said to him when he came back to the tent.

Something’s not right, he said simply.

Well, we’ve been sick before. You don’t think that … it’s … another plague, do you?

No, not a plague. Maybe we just got some bad food.

That would explain it, Rista said. Something spoiled got in the soup. Maybe we should be careful what we eat from now on.

I think that would be wise.

Anla had a fever that day, and Tiko did well to take care of all three of them. From time to time he would go out and Rista knew he went to check on his people. When he came back, he would bring food and water from their personal stores, and he cautioned them both not to eat anything that did not come from their own supply.

The following morning Rista felt much better. She noticed the birds flying high overhead on their way to the north. The sky wore a cloudy blanket, so the sunlight was not so bright. It would be a nice day to travel.

Everyone packed up their things and started out across the grassy plain in good spirits. They made good time that day. By the time they stopped to make camp, the clouds had darkened and wee drops fell on the grass. Rista remembered the storm in the valley of the Blue Mountain and the looks of these clouds made her nervous.

Tiko, do you think this storm will be a bad one? she asked him as they set up their tent.

I don’t think so. See, even now the clouds are breaking up.

Because the evening was cool, some of the people wanted to make another soup, but Tiko suggested that might not be such a good idea in light of the effects of the last one. Many of the people agreed with Tiko, but some of them ignored his advice and made a big soup together anyway. Its strong, delicious aroma wafted through the camp and drew many others who had agreed not to participate. In the morning, many of the people were very ill. Rista heard someone running to their tent. They stopped just outside without opening the flap.

Tiko? a man whispered.

What is it Lorin? Tiko answered.

I think there are … dead people in the camp, he whispered. Tiko rose and went outside to talk with Lorin. Rista could hear their voices.

Why do you think that? Tiko asked. What’s happened?

No one responded when I went to Tela’s tent....

Maybe they’re still sleeping.

No. I … I peeked through the flaps. No one was there. They were awful sick last night. I never saw anyone so sick.

Where do you think they went?

I don’t know. Nobody’s seen them.

Okay, Lorin. Get my uncle and some of the other men together and tell them I need them, but don’t tell anyone what you told me.

Okay, Tiko. Lorin wiped his face with his sleeve and ran down through the camp, stopping at various tents.

Tiko poked his head through the tent flaps and whispered to Rista. I have to check out some things. I’ll be back soon. He hesitated for a second and said I love you, Rista, and then he was gone. Rista looked at Anla sleeping peacefully beside her, her dark braids tossed out waywardly upon the coverlet. Rista felt her brow. There was no fever now.

The morning’s light was strong by the time Tiko came back. He motioned to Rista to step out of the tent. He put his hand on her waist and guided her a small distance away so Anla would not hear.

I heard what Lorin said earlier, Rista said.

I’m afraid he was right, Tiko whispered. We found both of them by the brook. Rista, I want you to listen very carefully to me. I think someone is poisoning our people. I don’t know why or what they’ll do next, but I want you to be very careful with our food and water. Keep them safe from tampering. If you see anything suspicious, let me know right away. And don’t eat anymore community meals. He glanced at the tent where Anla slept.

Tiko, don’t worry about your sister. I’ll watch out for her. She’s my sister, too now, and I love her very much. I’ll have a talk with her about sharing other people’s food. You know, Tiko, I started feeling ill the night of our celebration, after all that food. I didn’t think anything about it then.

If that’s when it started, then whoever is responsible planned this … incident, days ago. Our supply may even now be contaminated.

I’ll go through all of it and throw out anything that doesn’t look right, Rista said.

Hopefully that will take care of the food and water; but if they intend to kill us there are other ways to do it. Tiko left her and went through the camp asking people to gather at the brook; there was something he wanted to say to everyone. When they came, they appeared very weak and had to sit on the ground at his feet.

Some of our people died last night, Tiko said, and he watched the faces of the people. Rista knew he looked for someone who seemed not to be surprised. They were poisoned, he continued.

Poisoned! The people were horrified. No wonder we’re so sick, they said among themselves.

I cautioned you against a community soup, he reminded them. But that is over and done. I want you to tell me exactly what you put in it. The people offered freely to tell what they had brought: dried carrots, onions, tubers, lentils and the like.

I’m also interested in the spices, Tiko said.

Cran sat on the grass near where Tiko stood, looking very frail. His grandson Meryt picked the grass at his feet and twisted it around his young fingers.

I did it for your own good, said Cran in a clear high voice. I gave it to you for your own good. It’s for the plague, you know. A nasty thing that is; a very nasty thing. My wife died of the plague. He grew quiet and tears fell on his shirt. He bowed his head and sobbed. I did not want you all to die. I did it for your own good.

Rista went to him and put her arms around his shoulders. We’re safe from the plague now, Cran. Will you show me the spices you put in our soup? she said gently. Tiko helped Cran to stand and Rista led him away to his camp. Meryt followed nervously. Cran shuffled into his tent and brought out an old metal can. He handed it to Rista. The odor around the can was familiar. She removed the lid and recognized the spongy brown powder that was ick. Relieved, she handed the container back to Cran and comforted him.

You did the right thing, Cran. You didn’t harm us. In fact, you may have saved not a few lives.

I did it for your own good. Because of the plague, he said, now smiling. His teeth were all but gone, and his hair white and thin. He reminded Rista very much of her Papan. She led him back to the brook where the people waited.

It was ick, Rista said, and the people sighed.

Then we still have to find what poisoned us, Tiko said. I’m going to do a search of all your supplies. One by one Tiko called them and they took him to their camp where he searched their carts and tents. Finally, he came to Cran’s tent. The people had followed Tiko around the camp so they would know what was going on and might learn something interesting, and now they waited and watched and listened.

You already searched us, said Meryt. About eleven years old, Meryt was tall for his age, and very thin. He had not yet developed his musculature and looked to be a boy. His hair was dark, but his skin was pale.

No, said Tiko firmly. We have not.

But you found Grandpappan’s ick.

Show me your food supplies, Meryt.

Meryt did as he was told, but the stores did not harbor any rotten food. Tiko searched through their cart and three-wheeler, but nothing suspicious was found. As he turned around, his eyes rested on a bulge in Meryt’s tunic.

What are you hiding in your tunic, Meryt? Tiko asked.

Just some personal stuff, Meryt answered.

Do you mind showing me?

Yes, I mind. Meryt raised his chin in defiance.

Do not defy your leader, Meryt, said Cran. Be an obedient boy now.

Meryt stepped backwards nervously, then turned suddenly and bolted into the arms of two strong men who had no trouble subduing the boy, but he kicked them so hard they had to throw him to the ground.

Where do you think you’re going to? one of the men asked. He reached into Meryt’s tunic and brought out a small wooden box.

Let me go! I didn’t do nothin’!

Let him go, said Tiko. Give him back his box. I’m sorry for that, Meryt. Do I have your permission to look in your box? Meryt stood silent for a moment watching Tiko. He began to cry.

I was scared, Meryt said.

What were you scared of? asked Tiko. He came to stand directly in front of Meryt. The boy stepped backwards and Tiko said kindly, I’m not going to hurt you.

I’m afraid of them, Meryt said.

What? Who? asked Tiko looking around. The people had gathered close by and watched quietly.

Them. Meryt said so quietly it sounded like a sigh. The First Ones.

The First…? What? What do you mean, you’re afraid of them? Tiko’s forehead became furrowed and he watched Meryt closely.

You don’t want to go to the woodlands do you, Meryt? Rista asked. She was beginning to understand her dream.

No, but Grandpappan wants to go.

And you were afraid there would be no one to take care of him if you didn’t come.

He would die without me.

Tiko reached out his hand with the palm up. May I see your box, Meryt? Meryt looked into Tiko’s eyes and relented. He put the box into Tiko’s hand.

Thank you, Meryt, Tiko said. You’ve done the right thing. He opened the box and found it contained a white crystalline powder. What is this substance?

It’s tartare.

Tartare? Tiko looked genuinely surprised. Tartare doesn’t come from here. Where did you get this?

From one of the traders. He said I could kill the First Ones with it.

Rista was stunned. How many children did they give this poison to? Did their malice reach as far in death as in life?

Meryt, Rista asked, Meryt, do you hate the First Ones?

Meryt looked at his feet. I never hated them.

But you wanted to kill them?

I told you, I’m just afraid to go. It was the trader’s idea to kill them.

And you believed him? said Rista. Why did you take the poison, Meryt?

I thought it might work on the scurf.

But you used it on your own people, said Tiko.

I just thought if everybody got sick we wouldn’t have to go to the woodlands. Meryt hung his head. I’m sorry that people died. I didn’t know that anyone would die.

You know I can’t give this back to you, said Tiko. Can someone bring me a pick? A pick was brought, and Tiko dug a hole with it. He poured the tartare into the hole then dropped the little wooden box in after it. He covered the hole with its own dirt as his people watched. Meryt was silent.

We need to burn the bodies, Tiko said finally. The men brought the bodies—there were only two—and placed them in a clearing. Tiko and the men dug up the grass and laid the bodies on the freshly dug ground. Someone lit their clothing and as they burned, Tiko said, We remember Tela and Morgis, who left our world before their time. May they find peace in the arms of God. He paused for a moment in respect, before he looked at his people. Get rid of any soup that might be left and clean all your utensils thoroughly, he said, and then he and several men dug a grave and put the remains with the ashes in it.

Meryt stood apart from the group with Cran, who appeared weak in body and ashen of face. He clung to Meryt for support and had the boy take him to their camp. Tiko watched them go, and Rista wondered what was in his mind. The people said later that Cran’s heart was broken that day.

You haven’t said anything to him about his punishment. What do you plan for him? Rista said. She had watched the concern in Tiko’s face all morning, but could not discern his will. Tiko sighed and looked into her eyes.

I haven’t decided yet. It’s not an easy thing to punish a boy for poisoning his kin.

You have shown remarkable restraint. Buju would have killed him on the spot.

I am not Buju nor am I Zhendang anymore, said Tiko. I will not lead with anger, or malice. He touched her face as was his way, and Rista knew he was a good man in his heart and mind. She would follow him anywhere.

Tiko gave the people another day to recover and grieve for Tela and Morgis, two widowed sisters who loved life very much. Rista was glad they had been able to find joy in each other when their mates died and that one was not left without the other. Tiko went to see Meryt and stayed for a long time, but he did not tell Rista what they talked about when he came back and she did not want to press the point until he was ready to tell her.

In the morning, someone was heard crying in a lowly manner. The crying came and went, and Tiko searched diligently until he found the source. It came from Cran’s tent. Tiko called in at the entrance, Meryt, may I come in? Meryt pulled back the flaps for Tiko. His eyes were red and puffy. Why are you crying? Tiko asked, his eyes quickly searching the tent. Cran lay on his side.

It’s my Grandpappan, Meryt cried. He’s dead.

Tiko knelt beside the old man and felt for his pulse, but found only a cold stiff body. I’m sorry, Meryt, he said. Your Grandpappan was a good man and a good miner in his day.

Tiko called for some men to help him with the body, and wrapped it in a coverlet as he waited for them to come. They took it to the spot where the bodies had been burned the day before with Meryt following them, crying all the way. Rista saw them go and followed them to see if she could help. Sadness fell over the camp, and many thought their bad luck would never end.

Meryt sobbed during the ceremony, and when Cran’s remains had been put into the ground, Meryt fell on his knees and cried out, God is punishing me! God is punishing me! He would not stop even when Rista went to him and held him. What’s going to happen to me now? he asked. I have no one left! Tiko picked him up with his strong hands and held him to his chest.

You’re wrong, Meryt. You have me and Rista and Anla. You’ll be our brother from now on and I’ll see to it that you become a proper man.

Tiko’s Uncle Sert came to them and put his arms around the boy. And I’ll be your Uncle Sert, Meryt. I’ll be here whenever you need me. The people nodded and told each other that this was a good thing.

Half the day was now spent, but they were nonetheless ready to go when Tiko said it was time to head out. He had taken Cran’s goods and put them with his and Rista’s things. Rista wondered what they would do with two carts and two three-wheelers, but Tiko gave a dump-cart to a larger family. He used one of the three-wheelers for a bed should Rista or one of the children need to rest on the way.

Meryt took his place at the right hand of Tiko at the t-bar. From this point on, he went everywhere with Tiko, and did everything Tiko told him to do without question. Rista noticed that Meryt watched Tiko closely and began to adopt his ways. Meryt and Anla got on well together especially when Anla was told that Meryt was now her brother. Meryt took to protecting Anla and watched out for her continually, so by the time they stopped for camp that night a bond had formed between them.

The night was crisp and clear, and the stars in the sky twinkled in a slow kind of rhythm until the Daughter sun rose lazily and chased many of them away. Tiko had had to make a bigger tent. He and Meryt combined Cran’s and theirs and the result was a stable and fairly large structure that would give them all plenty of room. Meryt slept near Tiko and Anla slept near Rista and everyone was able to rest sufficiently. Presently Meryt and Tiko both began to snore and Rista laughed to herself that they needed to get to the woodlands quick-like, so she could seek a way to get some quiet sleep.

Several days later found the weary travelers at the Great Falls. Even before the people saw them, the falls could be heard a great way off as the water rushed over the stones. Never had anything so beautiful been seen by them; not the great stones that jutted out in steps, or the lush greenery that grew out of the rocks, or the way the water fell in a dozen little streams. The people were so impressed they wanted to stay a few days and take in the whole of it and rest; which was fine with Tiko because he had not yet figured out how to get their carts and three-wheelers across the river.

He approached Rista one morning with a gentle kiss, and the touch of him against her cheek made her heart leap. She was preparing breakfast and the children played in the water. She turned to him and his dark eyes spoke love. He held her to him and kissed her and she felt contented to be in his strong, protective arms.

I need your help, Rista, he whispered to her.

You know it tickles my ear when you whisper like that, she answered with a playful laugh, pulling her head away. He smiled at her.

I’m serious.

Okay, then, kind man I adore, what can I do for you?

We need to get across the river in the morning.

Rista looked hard at him. You want me to… step … into the water first?

Yes. Is there a reason why you shouldn’t?

It seems such a light thing to do, said Rista, but I’m a guardian of the First Ones, and of their ways. I don’t intend to take advantage of any gift left to me which is meant to help them, in any frivolous manner. I would not want to be mistaken in my use of it, that’s what concerns me.

Why would you think it to be a misuse? You’re coming with us, aren’t you? This is for you, too, Ryset Weir Finla. If you’re to go to them and take us with you, how else can it be done?

Rista could not deny it. Yes, okay. I’ll do it, if it will help.

It will.

The people had not considered for themselves how they would cross the river because they trusted in Tiko so completely. It was not until the morning dawned, however, when the people broke camp that they began to wonder if this was where they should actually set up their home and not in the woodlands after all. So it was with a little disappointment when Tiko told them to pack their belongings and prepare to move on.

I think here would be the easiest place to cross, Tiko said to Rista, but will we be able to get the carts down without having them run away and spill everything? And how do we get them back up the bank again? The solution falls far from me and I really need your advice.

But Rista only said, Trust me.

Tiko and Meryt waited with their cart. Anla wanted to walk beside Tiko, but he shooed her away in case the cart toppled over. Everyone else waited behind him, mesmerized that he would attempt to walk into a river with a dump-cart and three-wheeler loaded with goods. Was he mad or stupid?

Rista came to Tiko and took his face in her hands. She kissed him once. Good luck, Beloved Leader, she said, and turned to Meryt.